Kevin Skidmore has firsthand knowledge of the criminal justice system. Arrested and convicted of armed robbery at 16, he was one of the first juveniles in DeKalb County to be charged under Georgia Senate Bill 440. The bill, also known as the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 1994, allows those between the ages of 13 and 17 charged with violent crime to be tried as adults.
While serving a mandatory minimum of 10 years, Skidmore realized the importance of planning for life after prison and saw that preparation was essential for post-release success.
“I knew how tough it was to get out and make a livable wage,” he said. “In that environment, the only way out is to educate yourself and learn more than what you already know.”
He earned a GED diploma while awaiting trial in the DeKalb County Jail and explored vocational training through the Department of Corrections. After his release, Skidmore secured work with a battery company and, through a colleague, learned about opportunities in the trucking industry. It motivated him to start his own business, Four Fourty Trucking, the name a nod to the state law that changed the trajectory of his life. The company, started in 2014, now employs 25 Georgians.
Skidmore’s story is featured in the “Second Chance Hiring Guide for Georgia Employers,” a resource produced by the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, the guide offers practical information for Georgia employers seeking to expand their labor pool to those reentering the workforce after incarceration.
“Stable employment is shown to reduce recidivism, and we know that hiring individuals hungry for work and motivated to rebuild their lives can make a positive impact on communities and in the workplace,” said David Tanner, associate director for Government Services and Research at the institute.
(from left), David Tanner of UGA leads a discussion on second chance hiring with DeBaja
Coleman (Georgia Department of Corrections), Katie Hardy (Kubota Manufacturing America),
Mary Overholt (Kubota Manufacturing America), and Kevin Skidmore (Four Fourty Trucking
LLC). (Photo by Cameron Pearce, UGA) 
State agencies are creating opportunities to help individuals within the justice system prepare for life after release while addressing the need to fill high-demand jobs.
In Gainesville, Kubota Manufacturing of America’s second-chance program began when leadership recognized a shortage of welders. Working with WorkSource Georgia and the Lee Arrendale Transitional Center, the company’s human resources department built a 12‑week training curriculum.
Now in its fourth year, the program has made a difference for the tractor company, said Mary Overholt, Kubota’s director of human resources.
“We’ve seen lower turnover, highly dedicated employees, and a deep sense of purpose and loyalty on the shop floor,” she said.
One hurdle for employers is getting the idea through management; there can be resistance to change and stigmas to break down. The Second Chance Hiring Guide provides tips, including checklists and a decision tree, to help employers assess their current workforce needs and identify where additional talent can add value. The guide also recommends sharing success stories, educating hiring managers and providing training on fair assessment practices for businesses to articulate the “why” behind second-chance hiring.
At Kubota, creating guidelines and coaching management were key steps in establishing the program.
“It takes a lot of work, but employers who stay open-minded and use available resources can see a difference in the company and its people,” Overholt said.
Katie Hardy is an example of the program’s impact. She completed training at Kubota’s Gateway Campus, where she acquired customer service skills and earned welding credentials.
“Walking into a workplace without judgment made it more welcoming and less intimidating,” she said.
During incarceration, Hardy saved $45,000 working at Kubota, which provided a foundation for a new life upon release. Four years later, she has earned three promotions, crediting the company, North Georgia Technical College, and other support systems.
“The program is set up for success,” she said. “If you don’t succeed, it’s because you don’t want it.”
Creating similar opportunities is what drives Four Fourty Trucking. Currently, 90% of the company’s drivers were once incarcerated, with some making between $1,700 and $2,300 a week after joining the trucking company.
“Four Fourty Trucking represents resilience and that you’re not what you went through,” Skidmore explained. “I spell it ‘fourty’ because that ‘u’ is my daily reminder that you make a difference in how your life turns out, no one else.”
Now on the board of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Skidmore continues to advocate for second-chance employment, highlighting its positive outcomes and encouraging others to explore similar opportunities.
“It’s community service, and there’s no greater feeling than knowing you’ve changed someone’s life,” he said.
Request a Copy: The “Second Chance Hiring Guide for Georgia Employers” is now available. This guide provides practical information for Georgia employers looking to expand their labor pool to include people transitioning back into the workforce from jail or prison. This resource guide includes case studies from Georgia employers and helpful resources to those looking to expand their hiring practices. To request a copy, please contact Liz Montoya at lizmontoya@uga.edu.